Please note: we are seeking one applicant to work across the two sites.

Background of this Position

The Healthy Lifestyles program comprises a mix of multidisciplinary staff across a range of services, funded by consortia partnerships, agency partnerships and state and federal agencies. The alcohol and drug program areas currently covered by the Healthy Lifestyles program include youth A&OD, Home Based Withdrawal, Better Life Dual Diagnosis, AOD Brief Intervention Counselling, Gamblers Help, Adult A&OD counselling, forensic A&OD counselling, Making a Change Non-Residential Rehabilitation Program, Drug Action Taskforce (Wimmera & Ararat), Drink and Drug Driver Behaviour Change.

Staff within the Healthy Lifestyles program are located at each of the GCH sites across the Northern Grampians/Wimmera region – Horsham, Stawell and Ararat with outreach services as required to other areas.

A&ODTS Counselling Position

The A&ODTS Counselling position, inclusive of forensic counselling, is funded through the Grampians A&OD Consortium by the DHHS. It provides an efficient, effective and quality service for people to minimise the harm associated with substance use and misuse by assisting people to develop informed safe sensible behaviour towards drug use (legal, illegal, and prescribed drugs). At times this may require liaising with staff of Police, Courts, Department of Justice and other justice organisations.

Western Victoria PHN Background of this Position

In early 2016, Western Victoria PHN completed a needs assessment specifically focusing on AOD (which was updated in late 2016). Information within these needs assessments was collated from a range of sources which included consultations with AOD service providers.

These needs assessments have guided Western Victoria PHN decisions and directions with main focus for further service being:

Access to alcohol and other drug services, and

System integration and coordination.

To support commissioned activities, Western Victoria PHN will build the capacity and capability of the primary care and the non-treatment sector and directly support service providers by:

Funding a one off service establishment and development grant;

An external evaluation will be commissioned.

Key aims and objectives, within the frame work of the Peak Policies of GCH:

AODTS Counselling:

The key aspects of this role are to provide:

A&OD screening and assessment for people aged 16 years and above entering the Victorian A&OD treatment system;

A&OD counselling and case work for people aged from 16 years and above across the Wimmera region and where required, within the Grampians region;